Tokyo Stocks Rise, Housing Starts Fall

123jump.com Staff
01 Nov, 2007
New York City

Stocks in Japan rose on the stronger than expected third quarter U.S. economic growth and the Federal Reserve decision to lower the target rate by 0.5% to 4.5%. Earlier the Bank of Japan had left its interest rates unchanged to 0.5% and lowered its economic growth estimate for the fiscal 2007. Yen in Tokyo trading edged higher. New Housing starts fell in September, a decline for the second months in a row, on a new building code requirements.

[R]6:00AM New York, 7:00 PM Tokyo – Stocks in Tokyo rose after a rate cut in the U.S., reflecting a regional rise in Asia.[/R]

Japanese stocks rallied 0.79% on U.S. interest rate cut and strong export-led growth of GDP to an annualized rate of 3.9% that led to resurgence by exporters.

In Tokyo trading Nikkei gained 0.79% or 132.77 to 16,870.40 while the broader Topix Index climbed 1% or 15.71 to 1,635.78.

Of the Nikkei 225 stocks, 141 rose, 72 fell, and 12 traded unchanged. NSK Limited led advancing stocks, rising 11.57% after the company boosted its full-year net income forecast by 18% and brokerage Mizuho Securities Company recommended the stock. Energy related stocks and exporters rose as well.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange 9.6 billion shares worth 1.2 trillion yen were traded in the first section and 339 billion shares valued at 8.1 billion yen changed hands in the second section.

Crude Oil futures firmed 1.8% to $96.21 per barrel after U.S. stockpiles unexpectedly tumbled to a two-year low. Mitsubishi Corp climbed 2.25% and Nippon Oil gained 4.15% on the news.

The yen was quoted at 115.40 from 115.45 against the dollar at the close of trading and was at 166.96 from 166.97 against the euro.

The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee yesterday cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.5% for the second time in as many months in order to forestall chances of an economic recession that might result from the August subprime mortgage crisis.

The U.S. Commerce Department also said yesterday that GDP rose by an annualized rate of 3.9% in the third quarter surprising most economists on the Wall Street who were looking for a growth rate between 2.9% and 3.3%.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Japan said yesterday that new housing starts fell 44% to 63,018 in September from 43.3% or 63,076 in August. Owned dwellings slumped 21.6% to 25,431, rented houses declined 51.3% to 22,749. Also built dwellings for sale slipped 55.6% to 14,531, while collective and detached housing dipped 74.8% and 18.7% to 5,328 and 9,129 respectively.

Building construction starts plunged in September to 44.7% from a decline of 42.1% in August to 9,162 units.

Bloomberg News reported today that the Cabinet Office presented its public debt estimates to the Liberal Democratic Party’s fiscal reform panel that showed Japan’s public debt might soar to 900 trillion yen in 2015 if the government doesn’t cut spending and increase revenues. Debt of national and local governments might rise to 148.8% of GDP in the year starting April 2015 from 141.1% this year.

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said today that Japanese vehicle exports in the six months between April and September grew to a 20-year high by 6.8% from a year earlier to 3, 134, 676 units, spurred by exports to Russia and the Middle East.

Of the Nikkei 225 index stocks, NSK Limited led advancers, edging up 11.57%, followed by gains of 8.82% in Resona Holdings, 7.22% in Isuzu Motors, 7.13% in Fuji Electric House and 5.61% in Sky Perfect JSAT.

NSK Limited rose the most in five years after the bearings maker boosted its full-year net income forecast by 17.6% to 41 billion yen. Net income for the six-month period ending September 2007 firmed 2.4% to 17.7 billion. Mizuho Securities Company also lifted its recommendation on the stock to “strong buy” from “buy.”

Exporters also rose on stronger sentiment after the U.S. economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years. Sony Corp rose 3.37%, Toyota Motor Corp soared 2.74% and Honda Motor Corporation gained 1.86%.

Yokogawa Electric Co led Nikkei 225 Index stocks with a plunge of 13.86%, followed by losses in Konami Corp of 5.90%, in NTT Data Corp of 5.74%, in Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Company of 5.22%, and Showa Denko of 4.90%.

Yokogawa Electric Company slumped to 3-year low after lowering forecast for net income in the year ending March 31, 2008 by 14% on lower prices of computer memory chips.

Shipping lines also fell as prices of fuel jumped. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Limited slumped 4.68% and Mitsui O.S.K. tumbled 2.97%.

Financial stocks climbed down as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group said first half profits slipped 52% and revised its full-year forecast. Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group declined 1.76%, 0.16% and 1.18% respectively on the news.

GCA Holdings announced today it would acquire the U.S. based Savvian LLC for 90 billion yen as it expands to overseas markets.

Mitsubishi Corp also said it would buy Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan for 30.8 billion yen and raised its profit forecast this year. The company finished up 2.25%.